UN Rapporteur Defends Cambodia Border Displacement Findings, Invites Thailand to Present Its Case

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 6, 2026 (KPT) — United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia Tom Andrews has defended his findings on the displacement of Cambodian civilians caused by the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, while inviting the Thai government to present its perspective before he finalizes a report to the UN Human Rights Council next month. In a statement issued on Thursday, Andrews said he welcomed feedback on the remarks he made during a recent news conference in Phnom Penh following his fact-finding mission to Cambodia. He revealed that he had shared an advance draft of the section of his statement concerning the border conflict with the Thai government two days before its public release, including references to the displacement of Cambodian civilians. “While I did not receive a response to that communication, I remain open and eager to discuss the Thai government’s perspective,” Andrews said. His remarks came after Thailand’s Foreign Ministry rejected his earlier statement, arguing that Bangkok did not initiate the conflict and disputing his reference to approximately 650,000 Cambodians displaced by the fighting. Thai authorities also contended that some of those counted as displaced had been residing in Thai territory. Responding to the criticism, Andrews said the figure was drawn from United Nations reports and was cited from a human rights perspective rather than as a reflection of competing territorial claims. This issue is part of the long-standing border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand, which could heighten tensions between the two nations. The conflict is particularly entangled with the interests of both countries regarding infrastructure development and access to natural resources near the border. Andrews' report is expected to further draw international attention to these matters.